Mail receiving and delivering apparatus.



M w 9 n m we m L a J P n A. L. HENRY. MAIL RECEIVING AND DELIVEBINGAPPARATUS. (Ajaplication filed Aug. 13, 1900.

(No Model.)

W/TNESSES:

' Uivrrs' STATES ATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW L. HENRY, OF LADOGA, INDIANA.

MAIL RECEIVING AND DELIVERING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N 0. 661,146, dated November 6, 1900.

Application filedAugust 13,1900. Serial No. 26,724. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern;

Be it known that I, ANDREW L. HENRY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ladoga, in the county of Montgomery and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail Receiving and Delivering Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention consists in a sliding device for adjust-ably supporting a mail-box such as is used in the distribution and collection of mails by postmen with vehicles, especially in what is known as the rural-delivery system, as will be hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.

The subject-matter of my said present invention is in a general way similar to that of my application, Serial No. 26,080, filed August 6, 1900, in which generic claims to the invention are presented. The claimsin the present application are therefore directed to the species herein illustrated.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof, and on which similar reference characters-indicate similar parts, Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved apparatus as it appears in use, as when mail is being taken therefrom or delivered thereto by a postman in a vehicle; Fig. 2, a top or plan view of the box and supporting devices in pushed-in position as when at rest; Fig. 3, an end elevation of the same; Fig. 4, a top or plan view showing the apparatus when in one of its various positions and indicating by means of dottedlines various of the other positions to which the mailbox may be swung, and Fig. 5 a detail sectional view of the box-supporting devices on an enlarged scale as seen from the dotted line 5 5 in Fig. 4.

At each place where a box is to be located a post or other suitable support 1 is provided to carry the same. Upon this post is a bearing 2, within which an eye 3 is pivotally mounted, through which eye arod 4, upon which the mail-box 5 is immediately carried, extends. A little lower down on the post, at the level of the bottom of the box, is an arm at, having a catch 0, by which the box is held in its pushed-in or folded-up position alongside the post. The eye 3 has a stem which extends down vertically into the bearing 2,

him.

on which it pivots and permits the rod Land box 5 to swing horizontally, thus enabling the box to be pulled out in any desired direction, the rod 4 sliding through the eye 3 to any extent desired within the limit of movement thus provided for. Said rod hasa vertical portion on which the mail-box is mounted and swings. Its horizontal portion maybe in a single part, as shown, or in two or more parts assembled telescopically, thus providing for greater range of adjustment, as may be preferred.

The mail-box 5 is of any usual or desired form and construction. That which I have chosen to illustrate is, exteriorly, in most particulars of the conventional form. Said box in order to be most convenient and efficient should be arranged to move in a substantially horizontal plane, so that the opposite end of the box may be brought into convenient re lation to the postman at whatever position relative to the support he may happen to strike. Said box is provided with hearings or ears I) and b, which are mounted upon a vertical portion of the part 4. 'lhe'postmanin using a box of this kind may have a rod or handle 6, having a hook-like end adapted to engage with handle, as h, on the box, by means of which he may draw said box toward When he has completed the use of the same, (by depositing mail therein or taking mail therefrom,) he may push said box back to position by means of the same handle.

As will be understood, thestructure should be positioned in convenient localities along the roadside at the points where the mail is to be delivered and collected, so that the postman can drive closeto them and receive and deliver the mail conveniently and quickly.

' By the use of this invention time is saved, so that one postman can do more work, thus making it possible to lengthen the routes, and by reducing the total number of postmen lessen the expense of covering any given amount of territory. Italsopermits the mail box to be drawn into the wagon under cover, and the mail thus kept dry in inclement weather.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The combination, in a mail receiving and delivering apparatus, of a suitable support, a vertical bearing carried by said support, an eye having a stem mounted in said bearing, a rod mounted and adapted to slide through said eye, and a mail-box secured to said rod, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination of a support, a bearing -thereon, a pivoted eye mounted vertically in said bearing, a sliding rod mounted in said pivoted eye, a mail-box hinged to said sliding rod whereby said mail-box is adapted to be moved in and out, by sliding said rod l l l l through said eye, and a catch-arm also carried by said support whereby said mail-box may be held in its position when at rest, sub stand-ally as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Indianapolis, Indiana, this 8th day of August, A. D. 1900.

ANDRE W L. HENR Y.

WVitnesses:

CHESTER BRADFORD, JAMES A. WALSH. 

